House-builder gives Chancellor’s number two regeneration insight

Wavensmere Homes has welcomed the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to its Nightingale Quarter scheme in Derby to discuss how the regeneration of vacant brownfield land can be accelerated.

Accompanied by the East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward and Councillor Nadine Peatfield, leader of Derby City Council and East Midlands Deputy Mayor, Darren Jones MP recently met with bosses at Wavensmere – the firm behind the £175 million redevelopment of the former Derbyshire Royal Infirmary site.

Situated off London Road on an 18.5-acre site, the development is now in its final construction phase, delivering 925 houses and apartments, together with a range of community amenities.

The site which had lain derelict for a decade prior to Wavensmere Homes’ acquisition and start on site in 2019 – is one of the most significant residential regeneration projects under construction in the UK.

Mr Jones said: “House building is a huge priority for this government. It was wonderful to meet everyone involved in the process of getting residents into new homes and understand the pressures and policies that are impacting social landlords, local government and residents. The insights I gathered will be integral going forward as I undertake the Spending Review across Government.”

Mayor Claire said: “It is my priority to help create more beautiful mixed-tenure homes in places with excellent employment opportunities like Derby.

“Wavensmere Homes has four live regeneration projects in Derbyshire alone, which are delivering close to 1,500 homes – each of those is an opportunity for the people of the East Midlands to live a great life in a good job.

“Through knowledge-sharing and working hand in hand with the Treasury and Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government, we will get Britain building again.”

Derbyshire Royal Infirmary opened in 1894 and closed 15 years ago.

While the vast majority of the Florence Nightingale-designed Victorian hospital had been bulldozed, Wavensmere Homes pledged to save and restore the imposing ‘pepperpots’, despite one of the buildings being previously consented for demolition.

Pepperpot South opened as the marketing suite for the 925 houses and apartments in 2021. With 95% of the homes now sold, the building has been re-purposed as a gym for residents’ use.

The second (North) Pepperpot is home to The Fulton Partnership’s sixth hospitality venue in the Midlands – called The Pepperpot.

James Dickens, managing director at Wavensmere Homes, which is also behind the redevelopment of Friar Gate Goods Yard and the new Cathedral One apartments scheme in Derby, said: “When we acquired this vacant site in 2019, we set out to design a landmark scheme that embraced the DE1 location and didn’t turn its back on the city centre.

“We are proud that our 925 apartments and houses have transformed the city living market, acting as the catalyst for thousands more homes to be delivered within central Derby.

“As we currently have over 3,500 plots under construction, or in planning across middle England, we look forward to continuing to assist the government and regional mayors with fresh insight into how much-needed residential regeneration could be accelerated.”

Meanwhile, Wavensmere has officially started construction on its £22 million Millford Mills scheme, at Milford, between Belper and Duffield.

The development, which will comprise 69 news homes, is being built on another historic brownfield site.

Ground and site enabling works across the 4.7-acre site are underway, with the first phase of construction to incorporate 10, two- and three-bedroom houses.

James said: “Locals have been waiting for many years to see this unique and prominent site get the green light for redevelopment.

“The chronic shortage of homes has led to people moving out of the area to find suitable housing.

“We are proud that local craftsmanship and our fine attention to detail will create a highly sustainable development that will add to the village’s vibrancy and appeal.”